Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects millions of people in the UK and can be life-changing. Little is know about the condition – which displays symptoms such as cramps, bloating, constipation and diarrhoea – its causes, or potential cures. This means that while there are known triggers such as caffeine and alcohol, for Hannah Moore and her friend Holly Bragg, IBS has led to a never-ending cycle of attempts at managing it with diets, supplements and behaviour changes. But the apparent randomness of flareups, despite all their efforts, can leave them demoralised and exhausted.
Moore speaks to the dietitian and the author of the book How to Manage Your IBS, Kirsten Jackson, about the types of food associated with IBS and the misunderstood role mental health plays in the condition. They discuss the frustration surrounding the lack of understanding, the treatments available, and what the latest research into the mind-gut connection may reveal
Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP
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